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Today I did a break in oil change for my parents 2012 2.8 X3 (build date 1/2012). Car is just sitting in garage collecting dust while they are on vacation after-all..

As a high miler 09 x3 super commuter was curious the big differences between the two models. Bottom line very little difference. Still almost 7 qts of BMW 5w30, same BMW oil filter and same size sockets (18mm deep sockets for drain plug and my oil filter removal tool from ecstuning).

About the only difference is the drain plug is hidden under a door secured with two 8mm bolts on the modesty cover. The e83 is a quick release cover. In addition oil level is buried in an iDrive menu.

Happy motoring all and don't fall for high dealer charges on your mid maintenance warranty mile oil change. This is an easy job done in 20 minutes. If you are like me you change every roughly 8k except for first 2,500 miles (I change then and half CBS thereafter).

Had a similar device on a Chev truck years ago. Always worried about accidently tripping the dump valve while going through some tall weeds, or running over branches on the highway. Irrational fear? I guess, but it was always there -- and I even used to stop after running through some rough stuff to see if it was still closed. I finally took it off.

I won't be riding the motorcycle or driving the car through the weeds... not on purpose anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Had a similar device on a Chev truck years ago. Always worried about accidently tripping the dump valve while going through some tall weeds, or running over branches on the highway. Irrational fear? I guess, but it was always there -- and I even used to stop after running through some rough stuff to see if it was still closed. I finally took it off.